Meet Our Team
Leah Dunn, Owner & Founder
Born and raised in Virginia, I originally came to Southern California for college in 1999. I instantly fell in love with the novelty of palm trees swaying against my dorm window – this was my kind of place! While I sometimes miss the charm, pace, and drawl of the South, I’ve found my home here in Los Angeles. After college I spent years in corporate jobs, trying to apply the Mathematics degree I’d worked so hard to earn. Eventually, though, the cubicle walls started closing in on me, and I decided to leave the corporate world as a birthday gift to myself in 2009.
Without another opportunity lined up, I found myself spending much of my time with my Cockapoo rescue, Georgia Lou (my little Southern belle). The two of us went on hikes, played fetch at the dog park, or just hung out together at home. I soon realized that I should stop sending out resumes; I couldn't think of a better way to spend my days than combining my two loves: animals and the outdoors! I began providing pet care professionally in July 2009 and founded Out On A Leash in April 2010.
I devote most of my free time to volunteering for Lhasa Happy Homes, a small-dog rescue group on the Westside. I have the pleasure of fostering dogs for the organization until they find their forever homes. In 2014 – after five years of fostering – I finally became a "foster failure" when I adopted my second dog, an adorably quirky little Shih Tzu mix named Franklin.
When I'm not doing something animal-related, I enjoy reading, biking, and watching mindless TV.
Theresa Edwards
Hello! I’m Theresa. I was born and raised in Seattle, WA, and I have lived in sunny Los Angeles for the past 7 years.
I grew up with two cats and a dog, so I understand that our pets are part of the family! I adopted my own cat in 2019, and I know how important it is to find a caretaker who’s dependable, trustworthy and experienced. That’s why I will always give your fur baby the same attention and care that I give to my own.
I love animals so much that I have worked as a dog walker and pet sitter since I was a tween. My experience includes dog walking for Wag, cat sitting for Meowtel, and providing pet care for friends. I’ve been a long-time volunteer for the Seattle Animal Shelter and more recently, Pasadena Humane. I just moved to the West Side, so I am delighted to be working with Out on a Leash!
In my free time I enjoy practicing yoga, hiking with friends, exploring coffee shops, taking care of my many plants, and snuggling with my cat, Mateo. I can’t wait to meet you and your pet(s) soon!
Aaron Mento
Hello! I’m Aaron. I was born in Tenafly, NJ and have been a filmmaker in Los Angeles for about twenty years.
Other than filmmaking, my lifelong passion has been to take care of our furry friends! As a child, I grew up with a wonderful golden retriever (Amber), I went through high school with a super sweet schnauzer mix (Spock), and my wife Michele and I are the proud parents of a saucy senior chihuahua (Randall)!
As a dog rescue volunteer at Healthy Spot, I would walk, play with, and introduce canines of all sizes to potential adoption families. Helping dogs find their forever homes has been one of the greatest joys of my life! I also have a talent for finding lost dogs and reuniting them with their families, which is something that always brings me a great deal of peace.
I am so excited to meet you and your precious pups, and I will care for them as if they were a part of my own family. Cheers!